Development of an international network around agroforestry in southern Africa (ICRAF)

Duration: 2013-2014

Budget: 1.500.000

The consequences of climate change have a great impact on agricultural techniques in southern Africa. Belgium committed to contributing to Fast Start Financing for climate actions between 2010 and 2012. The different federated states make contributions to this as well.

In the past, Flanders supported a trial project (CATSBanks) which integrated forestry as an agricultural practice. The findings of this project were rated positively. Hence the decision to further disseminate the results in southern Africa.

Duration and budget

The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) receives 1,500,000 euros for this purpose. The project lasts two years, from January 2013 through December 2014.

Problem definition

Due to the fact that in southern Africa agriculture has always been practised without adjusted soil management measures, increased soil nutrient depletion and erosion has been caused.  As a result of this degradation, productivity has decreased and the possibility to earn a livelihood from this is growing smaller.

Practical implementation

ICRAF applies the concept of Evergreen Agriculture (EA). Forestry is being integrated into sustainable agricultural practices to achieve an improved food production among smallholder farmers. By introducing specific trees in the annual agricultural cycle, an increased production of food, fodder, fuel and fibres can be realised, and nitrogen capture can be fostered. Evergreen Agriculture promotes diversification in agriculture and increased production.

An application of these sustainable agricultural practices is urgently required in southern Africa. Through its secretariat in Malawi, the organisation wants to assume a strong disseminating role in southern Africa. In this project, ICRAF will use Malawi's positive experiences, amongst others, where a lot of smallholder farmers successfully converted to agroforestry and became self-sufficient in the production of pre-treated tree seeds, one of the main bottlenecks in the process.

Partner

World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)